Europe’s longest: Russia's President Putin Leads Column of Trucks at Crimean Bridge Opening CeremonyThe bridge has two parts – one for automobile traffic officially opened and the railroad side to be completed early in 2019

5-15-18, The column of trucks with Pres Putin driving the first truck arrived to the Crimean side of the bridge, where Pres Putin spoke a few 'thank you' words to the thousands of people who contributed to the project – from underwater explosives specialists, who helped sweep the seabed for bombs left from World War II, and archeologists to the many construction workers who made the bridge possible. “10,000 people work at this construction site, 15,000 during peak load. Almost 220 companies were involved. In fact, the entire country worked on it. The result is wonderful. It makes Crimea and the legendary Sevastopol stronger and brings us all closer together.”

​Crimeabridge to Russia opened by Vladimir Putin5-15-18, CBS -- MOSCOW --Russian President Vladimir Putin drove a large construction truck to road test the much-anticipated bridge linking southern Russia and the Crimean peninsula. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. The 11.8-mile bridge, which took two years to build and cost $3.6 billion. The Russian Federation annexed Crimea in March 2014 following a local vote approving it. The European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on Russia for the move. Only a handful of Russia's staunchest allies like Venezuela and Syria have recognized Crimea as part of Russia.

Live footage of the opening ceremony of the Kerch Strait Bridge in Crimea. Representatives of everyone involved in the construction of the bridge, which is opening six months ahead of schedule, are taking part in the ceremony. Apparently Vladimir isn't a very good driver, can't seem to stay in one lane. He gives a speech at the end of the journey [30 min mark] - I never heard a Putin speech before ... but he sure sounds like Pres Trump in this one! See video here